Two days later.
Konoha Hospital.
Veigar had just exited Might Guy's hospital room when an Anbu ninja landed before him.
"Veigar-sama, Lord Third has requested your presence."
Veigar was currently serving as the vice-director of Konoha Hospital. Coupled with his past experiences and accomplishments in battle, the Anbu ninja's respectful address of "Lord" was entirely appropriate.
"The Third, huh?"
Veigar pondered why Hiruzen would seek him out, then calmly responded.
The Anbu ninja departed, and Veigar headed towards the Hokage Residence.
Soon after, Veigar met Hiruzen.
"Lord Third, did you need something from me?"
Veigar asked as soon as he entered.
Hiruzen's gaze fell upon Veigar. He nodded, then said:
"Veigar, you're here."
"I've called you here because I need you to undertake a mission."
Veigar looked at Hiruzen with a puzzled, suspicious expression, waiting for him to continue.
"In three days, I, along with the village elders, need to visit the Land of Fire's Daimyō to discuss the succession of the Fourth Hokage. I'd like you to accompany us in secret."
Veigar nodded silently, then readily agreed.
"I understand. Is there anything else you need me to do?"
"No, there isn't."
"The reason I'm having you accompany us in secret is simply to ensure no unexpected incidents occur while we discuss with the Daimyō."
Hiruzen shook his head, not voicing his hidden concerns.
Veigar nodded again, responding earnestly:
"Yes."
Over the past two days, Hiruzen had secretly investigated the collaboration between Orochimaru and Danzō, and he had found a good deal of evidence.
However, he didn't use this evidence against Danzō. Instead, he used it to persuade Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, who usually sided with Danzō.
At the same time, over these two days, Hiruzen had come to terms with one fact: the position of Fourth Hokage could only be passed to Minato Namikaze.
However, Hiruzen, who was reluctant to relinquish power and believed that Minato wouldn't be a qualified Hokage, also made another decision.
After secretly meeting with each clan head, he decided to quickly nominate Minato for the position.
Because he knew Danzō was actively working to undermine Minato.
For this reason, Hiruzen had no choice but to act, to make Danzō truly give up, to make him understand that the Fourth Hokage position was absolutely not for him to meddle with.
Veigar was the insurance Hiruzen added for himself and a restraint he placed on Danzō, to prevent him from taking desperate measures after the meeting.
Based on Hiruzen's understanding of Danzō, he had no doubt that Danzō would do such a thing.
Just give him a chance, and he'd see hope for success.
Time flew by, and three days passed.
At Konohagakure's main gate, a team consisting of Hiruzen, Danzō, Homura, and Koharu, accompanied by fifty ninja guards, set off grandly towards the Land of Fire's Daimyō's residence.
In the shadows, Veigar, once again donning an Anbu uniform, was appointed as a temporary captain, commanding over a hundred Anbu ninja spread out around them, eliminating any threats.
On the way, Veigar was accompanied by a silver-haired figure. Without a doubt, Veigar had recognized his identity.
"Kakashi, how's your time in the Anbu going?"
Although Kakashi hadn't been in the Anbu for long, he had already gained considerable renown. He had earned the moniker "Cold-Blooded" due to his practice of leaving no survivors during missions.
Kakashi was already familiar with Veigar, so he naturally recognized Veigar's identity.
"It's fine."
Facing Kakashi, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, Veigar noticed that he had become quite cold.
Perhaps it was the influence of the Sharingan, or perhaps due to the environment of the Anbu.
Veigar's lips curved into a smile beneath his mask, then he said:
"In that case, get ready!"
"You'll have a challenging mission ahead."
With that, Veigar left Kakashi's side, leaving him bewildered.
Kakashi had no idea what Veigar was talking about.
Because everyone, both openly and secretly, was a ninja, Hiruzen and the others quickly arrived at the capital of the Land of Fire.
The Daimyō's residence.
In the spacious and brightly lit conference room.
The Daimyō sat at the head of the table. To his left were all the important officials of the Land of Fire. To his right were the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Root leader Danzō Shimura, Elders Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, and Konohagakure's Chief Strategist, Shikaku Nara.
To ensure the safety of this meeting, the security level of the Daimyō's residence was even higher than that of the Hokage Residence at this time.
During the meeting, the Daimyō first expressed his dissatisfaction with the recent war. Although Konohagakure had achieved victory in the war, which also gave the Daimyō a significant international presence and brought considerable compensation to the Land of Fire,
The losses incurred by the Land of Fire during the war, along with Konohagakure's dwindling ninja population and personnel shortages, greatly displeased the Daimyō.
The insufficient number of ninja in Konohagakure also affected his interests as the Daimyō of the Land of Fire. The military funds he provided to Konohagakure annually were not for a militarily weak Konohagakure, but for one that could effectively protect the Land of Fire and him.
The current situation of Konohagakure clearly left him very unsatisfied.
At the same time, he raised the question of the Fourth Hokage's successor.
Under the Daimyō's reprimand, Danzō, vying for the Hokage position, also began to accuse Hiruzen.
"Daimyō-sama, the reason these situations you speak of have occurred is solely due to the Third Hokage's overly naive ideas, which led to Konohagakure being forced into its current predicament."
"Therefore, the Hokage that Konohagakure currently needs must be someone who can bring reform to the village, someone who can make the ninja reaffirm their responsibilities. The Fourth Hokage must be such a talent."
Danzō, who was accusing Hiruzen at this moment, had no idea that Homura and Koharu, who usually aligned with him and acted in collusion, had long since sided with Hiruzen.
And Hiruzen, facing Danzō's accusations, showed no change in expression. He simply listened quietly, waiting...
Waiting for the opportunity to deliver a winning blow.
"Then do you have a suitable candidate?"
The Daimyō looked at Danzō and asked very calmly and leisurely.
Who would become Hokage?
To the Daimyō, this wasn't very important, as long as the person in the Hokage position could bring him sufficient benefits.
Homura, Koharu, and Shikaku, who sat at the end of the table, all turned their gaze to Danzō, waiting for him to speak.
Only Hiruzen remained silent with his eyes closed, quietly waiting.
After a long pause, Danzō spoke very calmly:
"This old man had originally intended to recommend Orochimaru, one of the Sannin."
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